 March 24, 1999
Baptist Briefs
___ Smyth & Helwys adds curriculum. Smyth & Helwys Publishers has announced the launch of a second line of adult Sunday school materials in January. The "Smyth & Helwys Uniform Series Bible Study" will follow the International Sunday School lessons of the Uniform Series and will use the New International Version of the Bible as its primary translation. About 2,000 churches in 48 states currently use the publisher's first adult line, "Formations."
___ BWA likes statement on children. The Baptist World Alliance executive committee endorsed "The Oxford Statement on Children at Risk" during its March 8-11 meeting in Washington. The statement asks Christian churches to be aware of problems facing children globally, to support programs to assist at-risk children and to pray regularly for these children and their families.
___ BWA targets persecution. The Baptist World Alliance is asking Baptists around the world to document instances of religious persecution which then will be sent to the United Nations for action. "Religious freedom is under threat around the world," said Denton Lotz, BWA general secretary. During the BWA executive committee meeting March 8-11 in Washington, Lotz distributed a form which Baptist leaders can use and send to the BWA offices in Washington. Forms are available from the BWA office and will be posted on the BWA website, www.bwanet.org.
___ Alliance celebrates seminary. The Alliance of Baptists March 12-14 marked the 10th anniversary of a controversial vote to launch an independent seminary for moderate Southern Baptists. That vote on March 2, 1989, by what was then called the Southern Baptist Alliance, created Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (Va.), which today has 250 students and 14 faculty members.
___ Turner tapped by IMB. Sam Turner, an associate director in the International Mission Board's volunteers in missions department, has been named partnership development coordinator for the IMB and the North American Mission Board. He will work with state Baptist convention leaders to identify places that need missionary assistance and then share that information with associa-tions interested in creating partnerships.
___ Holste to lead IMB research. Missionary Scott Holste has been named director of the International Mission Board's global research department. Holste and his wife, Jane, have been strategy coordinators working with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia.
___ Notations gone at Midwestern. The Association of Theological Schools has removed two notations on the accreditation of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the school announced. The notations concerned evaluation procedures and future financial planning.
___ Medical volunteers needed. Physi-cians, nurses and pastors are needed to complete a volunteer team traveling to Ro-mania May 28-June 8. The medical project, sponsored by the Southern Baptist Conven-tion's International Mission Board, is coordi-nated by Joe Craig of Charlotte, N.C. For details, contact Craig at (704) 542-0942.
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